I remember fellow language students telling me that Montevideo is just a smaller version of Buenos Aires, so I never really took the time to check it out. On this visit, my dad and I had time, and I found a deal, I think with the Buquebus company, to ride the boat and have a tour of the city.
I remember getting up super early and watching the sunrise on the Rio de la Plata as we made our way over to the country across the water. We had a few minutes to look around the city square, then took a bus ride for the tour passing and stopping at various monuments and an overlook of the city. The most memorable statue for me was that of native people in a cage. Apparently during the time of eugenic studies, the Uruguayans actually locked up native people and I think killed or drove many native peoples out of their country to make their country more "progressive." Quite sick.
Also, gross, but not at all in the same realm was that our tour ended with a trip to the mall. It kind of made me think that maybe there really isn't that much to do in Montevideo (I'm sure my Uruguayan friends would say otherwise. Next time I go, I need to go with you!). I'm not a big shopper, especially in malls, but I was stoked that there was a Zara. I actually still wear all of the clothes I bought on that trip.
